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1.
Where is the best location for a Sentinel Vacuum
Controller?
For best performance, Sentinel Vacuum Controllers should be located:
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as close to the milk trap, as
possible, in a milking vacuum system or
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as close to the
system to be regulated in other types of applications.
2. When should I change the Top Dome Filter?
If removing the Top Dome Filter changes the vacuum more than 1/2 inch Hg,
then the Top Dome Filter should be replaced.
3. Do I use the Filter Gauge and paper filter when I
install a Sentinel Peacekeeper on either a Model 100, Model 350 or Model 500 Sentinel
Vacuum Controller?
No. When a Peacekeeper is installed on the above units, the Filter
Gauge and paper filter (AP-58 or AP-107) are not used.
4.
Where can I purchase printer ribbons for my
Digimet Printer?
The Digimet Printer uses an Epson HX-20 cartridge ribbon. Ask your STAPLES
customer service representative for the following part number, EPS-H00CRBB.
5.
How can I make my vacuum system more
efficient?
Several things can be done to make your vacuum
system more efficient. First, the vacuum controller should be properly and
periodically maintained. Second, the vacuum controller should be properly placed in
the system. If the controller is placed too far away from the milk trap or
too far from the system which is to be regulated, then the controller may not respond properly to vacuum fluctuations. Third, the vacuum pump should be the
proper size for the system.
6. How much quieter will a
Peacekeeper make my Sentinel?
The Sentinel Peacekeeper will cut up to 15 decibels
off your present noise level created by the Sentinel.
7. Do I need to adjust the Sentinel Relief Valves?
Although the Sentinel Relief Valves (348-17 and
RV-463) are set at the factory, they must be readjusted on the system that they are
intended to be used on. This can simply be done by turning the inside screw-clockwise to
increase the release point, counterclockwise to lower the release point.
8. My Sentinel Relief Valve seems to leak some
air, should this be happening?
The Sentinel Relief Valves will leak approximately 1
CFM in the closed state. This condition is inherent with spring-controlled valves
utilizing a hard seal and is in no way detrimental to the performance of the system.
To the contrary, it provides a positive indication that the Relief Valve will
perform properly if and when it is needed.
9. Is it important to put
silicone sealant around the diaphragm bolt and retainer on the Model
350/500/100?
Yes. When replacing the diaphragm
retainer (348-10) in the Model 350/500, first place a small amount of silicone
sealant on the bottom edge of the retainer where it contacts the diaphragm
back-up plate (348-16). Place a small amount of silicone sealant on the threads
of the diaphragm bolt (348-30) and screw into the top of the shaft. On the Model
100 place just a small portion of sealant in order to seal the shoulder of the
diaphragm bolt (353-10) to the back-up plate (353-07).
10. My
vacuum controller seems to be oscillating.
To
begin with, you need to determine whether or not it is truly
oscillating. The best way to do that is turn the vacuum system
on and leave the pulsators off. Now, open up a milk valve for
about 1 or 2 seconds, then close the milk valve. If the
controller is truly oscillating then the controller will take 15
to 30 seconds to settle down. If the controller responds to the
leak quickly and maintains the set vacuum level then it is
probably not oscillating. If the pulsators are running it is
difficult to determine whether the controller is oscillating
because the pulsation will cause the vacuum controller to
operate by closing and opening, as it should and this movement
might be misinterpreted as oscillation.
If
it is oscillating then the first thing to do and in most cases
the main reason for the oscillation is that the Mark II is not
mounted on a two inch elbow or the Model 350/500 is mounted on
something larger than a 3 inch elbow. It is important to have an
elbow as mentioned above for the individual vacuum controllers
in order that some back pressure is created and doesn't allow
the controller to be too sensitive and thus oscillate.
The
correct mounting procedures will be found in your parts and
maintenance manual. But as a rule-of-thumb, always have a two
inch 90 degree elbow at least 3 to 6 inches from the bottom of
the Mark II and a three inch 90 degree elbow at least 3 to 6
inches from the bottom of the Model 350/500 Sentinel Vacuum
Controller.
11. Do
the relief valves, 348-17 or RV-463, need to be set on a given
system? I thought they were factory preset.
While
it is true the relief valves are set at the factory it is
dependant on the CFM of the vacuum system, so each relief valve
should be set when put onto any vacuum system. The screw on the
inside is turned clockwise to increase the release point and
counter-clockwise to lower the release point.
12.
What is the proper
orientation of the poppet push-pin (406-07) and the rolling seal
(406-14) when trying to assemble the two pieces properly?
Well, let's start
with both parts:
The above rolling seal
(406-14) is sitting on a table with what is called a square
bead evident on the inside lip at the top of the seal. Now,
let's look at the poppet push-pin below...
The next step is to
insert the poppet push-pin (406-07) into the rolling
seal (406-14) entering the rolling seal at the opposite
end from the square bead. The square bead of the rolling
seal will fit into the groove in the blue plastic part
of the poppet push-pin, above. The result should look
like the picture below:
13.
Now that the poppet
push-pin (406-07) and the rolling seal (406-14) are together
properly, how is this assembly inserted into the flow ring
(406-04L)?
First, the rolling
seal (406-14) which is attached to the poppet push-pin must
be flipped upwards like an umbrella that gets caught in a
wind storm. Look below:
The above assembly now can be
inserted into the flow ring (406-04L) and the square bead of
the rolling seal which is now on the outside will fit the
square cut out of the inside edge of the flow ring. See
below:
Finally, the
assembly should look as shown below:
14.
My Sentinel Mark
II appears to be controlling vacuum OK, but it seems to
be vibrating alot and making a noise like a fog horn,
occasionally.
The problem
possibly is that the rod seal that is pressed into the
center of the Flange (406-33L) has worn to the point
where it no longer applies the proper friction to the
rod, which makes up the poppet push-pin (406-7). The rod
seal applies friction to the movement of the poppet
push-pin as it moves up and down. It, in a sense,
dampens the movement of the push-pin in order to create
a more stable condition. Without this friction on the
push-pin the unit may become unstable. The best solution
is to replace the Flange which would have a new rod seal
in its center.
The amount of
friction that is applied to the push-pin is somewhat
subjective (in trying to communicate to someone who is
in the field assembling or disassembling the unit) in
that it's difficult to say exactly how much friction is
the correct amount of friction. One way to determine if
there is enough friction applied by the rod seal on the
poppet push-pin is that when the unit (Mark II) is
apart, insert the poppet push-pin into the Flange. Then
carefully point the push-pin towards the ground. If the
Flange stays on the push-pin without falling off, the
friction is fairly certain to be correct.
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